Liverpool have already signed a Martin Zubimendi alternative and he cost just £224,000 - opinion
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Liverpool saw a summer transfer target move closer to joining a Premier League rival on Tuesday.
TBR Football understand Arsenal are confident of signing Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad – despite interest from Liverpool and Real Madrid – with the Gunners even willing to trigger the Spaniard’s £50.5m release clause.
Back in the summer, there was a high profile transfer saga involving the Real Sociedad No.4 and Liverpool – after he opted to reject a move to Anfield in favour of remaining in his hometown of San Sebastien.
Liverpool are not expected to challenge Arsenal for Martin Zubimendi – and that may well be because Arne Slot already has a very similar No.6 right under his nose in Stefan Bajcetic.
Stefan Bajcetic can be a Martin Zubimendi alternative for Liverpool
Liverpool fans must not forget about the Spain U21 international.
Bajcetic – who Liverpool signed from Celta Vigo for just £224,000 back in December 2020 – was immense for Jurgen Klopp in that No.6 role at the base of midfield before suffering an adductor injury in March 2023.
The way in which the 20-year-old continuously received the ball under pressure, only to spin away and ignite an attack for the Reds, was highly impressive for a player so young.
Just take a look at this risky pass from Virgil van Dijk away at Newcastle back in February 2023, which Bajcetic – who has been compared to Xavi – managed to turn into a goal thanks to one smart drop of the shoulder and a clean take on his back foot.
The statistics make for interesting reading as well.
WhoScored shows that Bajcetic has averaged 0.8 key passes per game this season in the UEFA Champions League during his loan spell at RB Salzburg – also registering a pass success rate of 83.9% for the Austrian giants.
In regards to Zubimendi, the Spain international is very close to those numbers, averaging 0.7 key passes every 90 minutes with a pass success rate of 84.9% for Real Sociedad.
Arne Slot should trust Stefan Bajcetic at Liverpool
Ryan Gravenberch has stepped up since Zubimendi rejected Liverpool – lessening the need for a new midfielder – although another option in that area may soon be required.
Jamie Carragher thinks Slot could sell Wataru Endo – and if that does turn out to be the case, Liverpool should avoid signing a new midfielder and place their trust in Bajcetic, a talent who remains the youngest player to start a UEFA Champions League knockout game for the Reds, aged 18 years and 122 days.
